Meet our Guides
 

All of Gulliver’s guides are native to the Andes.  They are young, with high spirits, and work as full-time aficionados of outdoor tourism in the region, sharing their passion and knowledge openly with tourists.  Aside from Gulliver’s core group of guides, Gulliver also works with a group of rigorously-selected independent guides, who have worked continuously with Gulliver for the past several years.

Viviana Freire specializes in Ecuadorian culture, architecture, and history, in addition to working as an agent in Gulliver’s central office in Quito.  When she is not working in the office, she is giving city tours of Quito’s renowned historical center (the largest in South America) or exploring “La Mitad del Mundo,” the complex of museums at the Equatorial Line.  Vivian holds a degree in International Relations, Economy, and Finance, and she is currently
working to complete her Hotels and Tourism degree.  Vivian is fluent in Spanish and English. 

Marco Gonzales specializes in horse-back riding and has worked with Gulliver for three years.  He is from a cowboy family in the Mejia region.  From a young age, Marco’s passion was horses and animals, in general.  He trained for several years to become a veterinarian before deciding to become a full-time guide for tourists.  Marco began working and training as a guide through Gulliver.  He is now a licensed guide, trained officially through Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism, and he is currently training to become part of our team of mountain climbing guides.  He possesses a wide range of knowledge, from local plants and animals to Andean legends.  Marco speaks both Spanish and English.

Fernando Iza specializes in mountain climbing and trekking.  He is from the village of Pastocalle, in the Cotopaxi Province.  Growing up in the midst of mountains made Fernando admire their presence and control of the region, and over the years, he has developed a strong passion for climbing and hiking.  After working in Ilinizas National Park for two years and becoming trained with Gulliver at its Hosteria, PapaGayo, Fernando is now an officially licensed guide, by Aseguim and the Ministry of Tourism, and has guided for Gulliver for three years.  He is currently working to receive his International Mountain Guide (IMG) license.  Fernando is fluent in English and Spanish, and tourists will be surprised and impressed by his ability to joke in any language.

Luis Daquilema specializes in horse-back guiding and trekking.  In spite of his young age, Luis is a very charismatic and well-knowledged in all the routes and secrets of the Andes fauna and flora.  He is from a village in the Mejia Province.  Luis has worked with Gulliver from a young age.  After three years of working at Hosteria PapaGayo, he trained officially with the Ministry of Tourism to become licensed as a Natural Guide of the Andes and has since formed part of Gulliver’s guiding team.  Luis speaks both Spanish and English. 

Sergio Quinatoa specializes in biking and mountain climbing.  He is a community located near the Cotopaxi National Park.  He worked at the Park’s refuge for a couple of years, where he developed a great interest in mountain climbing.  Gulliver trained Sergio as a guide, and he is certified to work as an assistant mountain climbing guide while he waits to complete is official certification.  Sergio is already certified as a Natural Guide for the Andes through the Ministry of Tourism and Department of Natural Resources.  Sergio has a great deal of knowledge about the Andes and Gulliver is currently training him with advanced mountain and biking guiding information. 

Gabriel Gracia Hurtado is a Natural Guide specialized in the Cloud Forest Area.  He is from Manabi, on Ecuador’s Coast.  Gabriel has extensive knowledge of the birds and general fauna & flora of the fascinating Cloud Forest ecosystem.  He also guards the secrets of the chocolate-making process and the tropical fruits that grow in the zone.  He has been guiding for Gulliver for two years and never fails to be courteous and friendly with everyone he guides. 
 

Meet Our Management 

Angie Degalindo is the office manager of Gulliver’s central office in Quito.  Angie was a tourist guide for several years before becoming an agent for Gulliver.  She knows all the provinces in Ecuador—their hotels, their communities, their unique ecosystems, their tourist facilities, their culture, and much, much more.  Angie, originally from Guayaquil, possesses a very advanced sense of humor and relates well with every client. 

Esteban Ludena is the manager of Gulliver’s Hosteria, PapaGayo.  He graduated with a degree in Administration and Business Management.  Esteban is well-organized and responsive to clients’ needs.  A responsible administrator, Esteban will be happy to provide you with any type of information or needs you might encounter while visiting PapaGayo.  He also acts as the hosteria’s DJ for our wild, world-famous after-climbing parties!

Eran Hayoun  is the manager and owner of Gulliver Company.  In 2001, Sr. Eran Hayoun, 26 years old, came to Ecuador from Israel with the dream of establishing an self-sustained, organic farm in the western highlands.  After searching for six months for a farm, he found the "Hacienda Bolivia" and started working to establish an Hosteria. On March 27, 2002, Eran opened "Hosteria PapaGayo" for those who want to enjoy the nature and the charm of this land.  After three years, Eran created Gulliver Agency to amplify the services he provides to tourists.  Since then, he has founded another Hosteria, Cocoa, in the Cloud Forest.  A nature, horse-back riding, and mountain climbing/ biking enthusiast, Eran goes on all types of tours operated by Gulliver.  He trains and challenges his guides, assures the best quality of service, and provides personal attention to his clients.